Mineral rights are a problematic topic when it comes to both estate planning and estate administration. The United States is one of the few countries that will legally separate the surface property from the mineral assets underneath. Still, most people who inherit...
When someone passes away, the estate likely has both assets and debts. In some cases, these debts are very minor, such as a few hundred dollars on a credit card. In other cases, that debt could be significant, such as business loans or home mortgages for hundreds of...
If you and your partner are among the many who believe that a long-term, committed relationship doesn’t require a marriage certificate, you still need to protect yourselves via some legal documents. For example, you may have a cohabitation agreement to designate,...
Estate planning is a difficult topic for many people. Often, any thoughts or conversations about death are off-putting. For this reason, many individuals tend to procrastinate on the issue or put it off altogether. One way that people try to get around the cost and...
Basic estate planning can benefit anyone. It helps ensure that the distribution of your assets follows your wishes upon your death. Additionally, estate planning dictates who will control your health care and property should you become incapacitated. Important estate...
People who are creating an estate plan should ensure that they have everything in order so their assets can be distributed in accordance with the plan. Typically, the estate plan will include the will and trusts that provide that information. Many people don’t realize...
When people talk about estate planning and guardianships, they're often referencing children. When a young married couple has their first child, for instance, they may create an estate plan that names a guardian who will raise their child if they pass away. They know...
It’s easy to forget that you have a safe deposit box – especially if you rarely access it. Maybe you use it to store documents like your marriage certificate (or divorce decree), your house title and your birth certificate. You may have some valuables in there like...
One of the benefits of writing a will long before you need it is that you can always update it. You’re free to do this whenever you want. Many people put off estate planning until they are older, but it may be far better to make that plan early and then just update it...
You and your siblings have had your fair share of arguments over the years. Fearing that their own passing will lead to serious family conflicts, your parents have created an estate plan. The goal is to give you instructions so that you don’t have to make decisions on...